Public Image Ltd.

On Tour

See all 51 pictures

Play Radio

Listen to Public Image Ltd. Radio, featuring artists like John Lydon, The Pop Group, Magazine, Wire and more…

• Search on Spotify

3,261,856 plays (279,777 listeners)
In your library (0 plays)

Send Public Image Ltd. Ringtones to Cell

Buy

• Send Ringtones to Cell
• Tonefuse Search

Add to my Library

London, England (1978 – 1993, 2009 – present)

Public Image Ltd. (aka PiL), are an experimental band which formed in 1978 in London, England. Its original lineup was John Lydon (vocals) (formerly of the Sex Pistols), Keith Levene (guitar) and Jah Wobble (bass), although by 1983, the band’s lineup would become a fluctuating one, revolving around Lydon. PiL are often cited as one of the most challenging and innovative bands of the post-punk period; John Lydon is quoted as saying he wanted to form an anti-rock band. They were influenced by a wide range of artists, especially esoteric artists like Can, Captain Beefheart, Tim Buckley & various dub artists.

As the years progressed, the PiL line-up would change, adding renowned drummer Martin Atkins in 1979 as the direction of the band evolved. Compared to their first three albums, the later 1980’s/early 1990’s period saw a more conventional sound to the musical aspect, but still retaining Lydon’s biting lyrics. The album Compact Disc (aka Album or Cassette, depending on what format you have it on), recorded by Lydon with a slate of studio musicians organized by producer Bill Laswell, is considered the artistic highpoint of this period of PiL’s evolution. PiL reached their commercial zenith with their aptly titled ninth album, 9, during 1989/1990.

PiL kept going as a Lydon project until 1993, when Lydon disbanded the group. Their final lineup consisted of Lydon, Ted Chau (guitar, keyboards), Mike Joyce of The Smiths (drums), John McGeoch of Magazine and Siouxsie and the Banshees (guitar), and Russel Webb (bass).

Read more… Edit bio

Popular tags: post-punk, new wave, experimental, punk, alternative  See more

Share this artist:

• Tweet
• Send

Top Albums

• One Drop
  Public Image Ltd.

  Buy

  • Download Album
  • Amazon MP3 $3.96
  • 7digital $3.99
  • Juno $4.99
  • iTunes Search
  • Buy Album
  • Amazon $8.99
  • eBay Search

  New

• This is PiL
  Public Image Ltd.

  Buy

  • Download Album
  • Amazon MP3 $8.99
  • 7digital Search
  • Juno $10.99
  • iTunes Search
  • Buy Album
  • Amazon $11.68
  • eBay Search

  New

• Metal Box
  Public Image Ltd.

  Buy

  • Download Album
  • Amazon MP3 Search
  • 7digital Search
  • iTunes Search
  • Buy Album
  • Amazon Search
  • eBay Search
• Album
  Public Image Ltd.

  Buy

  • Download Album
  • Amazon MP3 Search
  • 7digital Search
  • iTunes $6.93
  • Buy Album
  • Amazon $15.17
  • eBay Search

Top Tracks

• Last Week
• Last 6 months

1		Rise			543
2		Public Image			520
3		This Is Not A Love Song			431
4		One Drop			340
5		Memories			278
6		Albatross			256
7		Careering			253
8		Poptones			234
9		I Must Be Dreaming			224
10		Swan Lake			222
11		Lollipop Opera			199
12		Graveyard			186
13		The Room I Am In			185
14		Socialist			179
15		Deeper Water			178

Buy all tracks at Amazon MP3

See more